Request for Funding

Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2002

Mentor: Hasan S. Jafri, M.D.
Department: Pediatrics
Room number: F3.202
Mail Code: 9063
Phone number: 83720
E-mail: Hasan.Jafri@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Immunomodulation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 0921-01-01-1

Project Type Animal-based research, but students will also be able to learn some basic in vitro cell culture techniques

Brief Description of Project:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading respiratory pathogen among young children worldwide. A strong association between early childhood RSV infection and development of asthma is well recognized. Treatment options available for this infection are not effective thus far. Utilizing our animal model of RSV infection, we propose to evaluate the role of this virus in inducing asthma as well as the role of immunomodulation of the host inflammatory responses thought to play a significant role in RSV disease.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Summer of 2000; Student: Shahryar S. Nassi. Impact of the virus and pro-inflammatory cytokines on disease severity in an experimental murine model of respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia. Poster presented at the 39th Medical Student Research Forum, January 23, 2001.

Jafri HS, M Yusuf, SS Nassi, RD Hardy, J Hatfield, D Durbin, BB Rogers, O Ramilo. Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Concentrations Correlate with Disease Severity in an Experimental Murine Model of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Pneumonia. Abstract 1357. 2001 Society for Pediatric Research meeting, Baltimore, MD.

Return to UT Southwestern Homepage

Return to Student Research Projects Index